A group of get-up-and-go youths loved a series of Babergh-led pilot sessions in basketball so much – they decided to form their own club!
Youngsters from Great Cornard, near Sudbury, were thrilled with sessions organised by the Be Active project as part of Babergh’s summer activities last year – and decided to take their interest to next level.
After hours of hard work – and some recruiting of interested parents and volunteers – the Cornard Kings Basketball Club is ready to play and unveil their new strip tonight.
Babergh District Council offered to sponsor the club, which begins to play in the Ipswich National League from October, through its development programme in partnership with Great Cornard Sports Centre.
As a result, the council funded four volunteers to attend sessions that would see them achieve their Level 1 Basketball Award, which includes coaching and umpiring games.
After each gained their award, the volunteers then ran the junior and adult training sessions under the guidance of Glen Parker, Babergh’s Community Coach.
Glen said: “The Cornard Kings is a real success story – and it is all thanks to the youngster’s hard work and determination.
“Babergh may have helped with the funding but without commitment from the children and their parents, it would never have taken off in the same way.
“We hope this club’s experience will provide others with inspiration and make people aware that just because there isn’t a club on your doorstep, it doesn’t mean that there can’t be!”
Babergh also sponsored and funded the new kit for the Cornard Kings and helped with the design of the club logo.
The club meets on Monday evenings at the Great Cornard Sports Centre from 5pm until 6pm for under 14's, from 6pm until 7pm for under 16's and from 9pm until 10pm for the adult section. ENDS
For details contact Lorna Radford, Community Development Officer at Great Cornard Sports Centre on 01787 374861 or by email, lradford@greatcornardupper.suffolk.sch.uk.
|